Right technique of setting Up the Triangle Choke from Guard

Triangle Choke

Everyone who begins to train brazilian Jiu Jitsu, starts with learning some basic submissions. Among those submissions the most efficient & diverses one is triangle choke.Out of all the basic submissions the triangle choke the best is the best regarding power and impact. As there are multiple ways of applying the triangle choke, also it is hard to defend. A Lot of BJJ champions have their entire games based on executing triangle choke. This article will let you know everything about triangle choke. Whether you are a Jiu-Jitsu beginner, a seasoned grappler, or no-Gi BJJ player, you will have something to get away from this article.

Triangle Choke - Origin

Like a lot of other Jiu-Jitsu techniques, triangle choke has also its origin tied with Judo. Its name in Judo is “sankaku-jime”. Early Brazilan Jiu Jitsu practitioners acknowledged the effectiveness and efficiency of this choke. Like other moves they adopted it too, they innovated & perfected it & started teaching this at Jiu-Jitsu schools. The triangle choke plays an important part in Jiu-Jitsu no matter if it's offensive or  defensive standpoint. It's a certainty that you will deal with it in the BJJ competition. There is a room for plenty of nuances that can be explored within this simple concept. A lot of unique chokes that you can get proficient in just by learning this simple choke.

How to Apply the Triangle Choke from Open Guard

This choke is executed by laying on the back with the legs apart. Our opponent's torso should lie between the legs. It is known as  open guard because the movement of your opponent will be restricted by your legs firmly. In that position your opponent would be trapped in the and will be trying to escape. In order to set-up the triangle choke, start with grabbing the arm of your opponent & move it beside the head rather than hitting it. Hold both of his arms during this. Then position yourself. Once you have defected your opponent's attack, start positioning your body. It is done by using the legs and pushing the body forward in a way that your opponent stays further apart from the head. By some practice your body will be able to position itself while protecting your own self from attacks & maneuvering punches. After that pivot the hips forward. Doing this will send the body of your opponent further down. Then look for the way of maneuvering one leg over your opponent’s arm that you have pushed down & away for making sinking the choke easier.

Then begin with wrapping one leg around the opponent's head & shoulders ensuring his arms are trapped at the front of his neck & head while you try to bring the foot towards the other leg. Now your opponent has come in place. You are free to grab your shin for pulling your leg crossing the opponent's back for making this step a little easier. Though using the legs for applying the pressure for backing your head & neck of the opponent. This will make you notice that your arm has been forced against your neck for restricting your opponent’s airflow. You can also use the hand for pulling your foot in order to apply more that will tighten the choke. Then hold the choke till the opponent taps out, or the referee jumps in for stopping the fight.

Different Types of Triangle Choke

Following are some variations of triangle choke that can be applied in both BJJ-Gi, No-Gi games.

● Reverse Triangle

This "reverse triangle" is not simply switching the legs, rather it is a complete new angle for applying the choke. Remember that you should cut off both carotid arteries for this triangle choke to be effective. Start applying this triangle choke by the mount position, while you try for the reverse armbar.

If you are unable to get the tap from the armlock, try driving the knee over the opponent’s biceps, while letting the foot swivel over, it will leave you in a mounted triangle. Then drive the knee under the head, by reversing the direction that way you will tend to finish the mounted triangle. After that start popping their head-up, like you would apply S-mount. If you are trying to attack the right arm, drive your right knee under your opponent’s head. Then nothing much is left except for rotating so it will be easier to swivel around the opponent's back, that you are triangling from behind.

● Top Triangle

Most of the Judo players are experts of this technique. This choke can be applied more effectively while finishing the armbar. You will start noticing that the foot is stuck under the partner's armpit, and not over the top of the shoulder. It will occur during the spinning armbar attempt. Assume that you’re about to attack the partner's left arm, then switch to the kimura grip, while allowing the left leg for retracting off the torso of your partner's. Its general idea is about biting your partner in the starting position up on the top, & then sliding the left leg at the back of your partner's neck. There you can set-up this choke.